Barb's Daily Dose

Ecstasy - Warn Your Kids

I saw a patient the other day who was a big fan of taking Ecstasy at parties, that is until she landed in the ER.  She was having heart palpitations, which she thought were symptoms of a heart attack.  The fact is that Ecstasy use is on the rise.  Teens and young adults are using Ecstasy with alcohol more and more.  There are lots of risks with Ecstasy from high blood pressure and blurred vision and dehydration and heart and kidney failure.  I've also seen patients who do crazy, risky things when under the influence.

Stay off K-2

I thought that K-2 was the 2nd highest mountain in the world at 28251 feet of elevation!  Apparently it's the name of a synthetic marijuana and another way to get high and not from the altitude!  K-2 goes by many other names like:  Spice, Spice Gold, Spice Diamond, Yucatan Fire, Solar Flare, K2 Summit, Genie, PEP Spice, and Fire n Ice, among others and is legal in some stores.  There have been over 2,000 reports of people who have smoked it expecting to feel relaxed and euphoric and instead end up with a racing heart, anxiety, vomiting and hallucinations.

20 Secret Signs of Addiction

Today's Featured Article is from caring.com

Written by:  Melanie Haiken, Senior Editor

Knowing whether someone you love has a problem with alcohol or drugs isn't as straightforward as it sounds. Despite the stereotypes of the staggering drunk or the emaciated addict, most people who overuse alcohol and drugs become adept at disguising their behavior. Shame, embarrassment, and fear of consequences are powerful motivators. And in many cases, the person who's drinking too much or using drugs doesn't want to recognize or admit that he's not in control of the situation.

Military Stress Disorder: Part III - Symptoms and Treatment

Today's Featured Guest Writer is:  Arlene Karidis, Freelance Writer

So how do you know if you or someone you care about is experiencing Military Sexual Trauma (MST)?  The signs, as with anyone who has been sexually abused, could be many....

Symptoms: 

Flashbacks; nightmares; memories of the abuse; anxiety; a feeling of being unsafe; depression; guilt; emotional numbness; new or increased drug or alcohol use; isolating oneself; difficulty controlling emotions such as:

Introduction to Sexual Assault on the Front Line: Part II

This video is part of the series:  Introduction to Sexual Assault on the Front Line,  written by Arlene Karidis, Freelance Writer.  Please take a moment to view this informative video.

Look for the final Part III of this series next week.

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Arlene Karidis has written extensively on health care for life style magazines, newspapers, and the health care industry.  She brings you news of recent medical breakthroughs; heart-clenching survivors' stories; women's, children's, and seniors' health issues.  And she offers tips and resources for accessing information and supportive services.

To contact Arlene with questions about her write-ups on www.barbsdailydose.com or to inquire about her written services:  agkaridis@msn.com

Introduction to Sexual Assault on the Front Line (Part I)

Part 1 of a 3 Part Series

Featured Guest Writer Today - Arlene Karidis, Freelance Writer

Women serving our country through active duty have more than the Iraqi and Afghanistan militia to protect themselves from, according to a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) report.  In the 2009 study one in four women using VA health care reported experiencing sexual trauma while overseas - debilitating physical or emotional problems resulting from sexual assault or blatant sexual harassment.  The problem has become so common it now has a name of its own:  Military Stress Disorder.  (MST)

Captain Phil Harris

I have to thank Phil Harris for allowing the cameras to keep rolling, it opened an amazing window,  not only into the sleep depriving, frigid, aching muscle reality of crab fishing in the Bering Sea, but also he gave millions of people a bird's eye view into what real "risk factors" look like up close and personal and what happens when a person smokes too much,  has high levels of stress, lots time with no physical activity, a poor diet, a few extra pounds and high blood pressure.

Smoking Weed and a Teenager's Brain

Is Marijuana as Innocuous as People Think?

I've long suspected that when teens smoke marijuana regularly, there are some long term effects.  This is purely anecdotal and from my own observations, but here's my question:  Is it possible that when a teen is "mellowed out" most of the time from smoking weed, that they miss out on opportunities to learn how to deal with the normal roller coaster of emotions that is the hallmark of a teens existence?

Baby Boomers Still Doing Drugs as Seniors

Taken From an Article Posted on Caring.com

Need for Substance Abuse Treatment Could Double by 2020, Report Shows

FRIDAY, Jan. 8 (HealthDay News) -- Almost 5 percent of aging Baby Boomers in the United States are abusing drugs, a new government report shows.

That's about 4.3 million adults over the age of 50 who are smoking marijuana, abusing prescription medication and engaging in other illicit drug activity -- a number that far exceeds that of their parents' generation.